Invitations to the Diamond Jubilee version of the Day Nursery Auxiliary Style Show and Luncheon are in the mail so keep an eye out for yours! Proceeds from the October 4th event will support programs in the Day Nursery centers. Here’s an example of the hands-on learning that goes on in the Day Nursery classrooms. Today, the preschoolers of Day Nursery Northwest made a fruit pizza to reinforce what they have been learning in their classroom.

Members enjoyed catching up with friends at our annual meeting last year.

Members will be presented the following slate of officers for the 2013-2014 membership year to be voted on this Friday, May 3 at our Annual Meeting at the Meridian Hills Country Club. The social starts at 11:30 and the lunch will be served at Noon.

Day Nursery Federal Center students enjoyed a sunny morning for their traditional playground Easter Egg hunt earlier this week.

Eggs filled with treats for Day Nursery teachers.

Auxiliary members and spouses helped fill plastic Easter eggs with candy and words of encouragement for Day Nursery Teachers. Clockwise from the top: Sandy McCuen and husband Steve, Auxiliary President Melanie Esselman and Kathy Wall and husband Ed.

The Day Nursery Association hosted a Presidents Day event at the Indiana History Center today to honor past presidents of the Association, Foundation and Auxiliary boards. Ten of our presidents were represented at the mid- morning get together. The group was entertained by the four-year-olds of the Day Nursery Indiana State Government Center across the street from the History Center. Auxiliary presidents in attendance were Rosie Tanner (President 1984-85), Louise Collet (1992-93), Judy Pearce (1995-1996 and President Elect for 2013-14), Sally Anderson (1997-98), Susan Davis (2006-07), Joan Lyday and Spencer Scott (co-Presidents 2010-11), Bernice Hopp and Kathy Wall (co-Presidents 2011-12) and current president Melanie Esselman.

Joan Lyday, Melanie Esselman, Spencer Scott and Kathy Wall

Day Nursery teacher Tim Tegarden talks to his class about Abraham Lincoln following their Presidents Day program for the guests.

Day Nursery Auxiliary members gathered at Hollyhock Hill on Friday, December 7 for their second annual holiday luncheon. There’s always a good time when Auxiliary members get together to celebrate their friendships and the financial support generated throughout the year for Day Nursery Association’s early childhood care and education programs at their seven area centers. The members also brought toys and items for Day Nursery’s newest center, an Infant and Toddler Center, that will open in the Fall, pending funding.

Patty Fisher, Director of Center Administration, and Carolyn Dederer, Day Nursery Executive Director, check out various toys and supplies Auxiliary members brought to the Holiday luncheon for the new Infant and Toddler Center.

Day Nursery Association’s Carolyn Dederer, Executive Director, briefs members on their Race into Reading backpack project and thanks members for their donations to the forthcoming Infant & Toddler Center.

Like this:

We are thankful for a big turnout this year at the Auxiliary Style Show and Luncheon. So many friends to catch up with and so little time! If you didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone you wanted to visit with, we hope you will have a chance to join us December 7 at 11:30 for our 2nd annual holiday luncheon at Hollyhock Hill. It is another great opportunity to catch up with friends and to learn more what is happening in the Day Nursery Centers. Please send your reservation to Molly Redding by Monday, December 3 so we have you in the count for lunch. The luncheon is $18 and you need to indicate if you would like fried chicken, chicken salad or fish.

As you may have heard, Day Nursery is planning to open an 8th child care center in 2013. We are asking members bring an unwrapped item for the new center to our December meeting. The center will be serving infants and toddlers only so a list of suggested items appropriate for this age group has been created. Day Nursery is registered at http://www.buybuybaby.com if you would like to check the gift registry for suggestions. The registry # is 13132892. You can also visit the Buy Buy Baby store in Clearwater Crossing to check the gift registry with this number. If you have any questions about the upcoming meeting or the gift registry, call Susan Davis at the Association office at 636-9197 ext. 227.

Every wonder why the Day Nursery Auxiliary is so loyal in supporting Day Nursery’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)? Next to requests for infant care (there’s a waiting list), tuition assistance is the fastest growing need from parents.

Perhaps comments from Day Nursery’s annual parent survey will make you feel as proud of our efforts as I felt when I read the results:

A State Government Center parent said: “The Day Nursery tuition assistance is a blessing for me and my daughter. She is highly intelligent and seeks challenges. But I am a full-time student and without the assistance wouldn’t be able to afford to put her in such a stimulating environment.”

From a Northwest Center parent: “There is no way we would be able to attend such an amazing daycare! We would be at a hole-in-the-wall daycare, and I would worry about my kids all day long. The tuition assistance is such a blessing, and I am so thankful for it.”

From a Ruth A. Lilly Center parent: “My 3-year old really loves Spanish which she began in the 2 year-old classroom. She can count to 15 in Spanish, knows most body parts in Spanish, and is almost writing her full first name with all letters in order! My one year old is talking more and doing sign language. She is also eating better since starting at Day Nursery.”

From an IU Health Center parent: “My son knows more nursery rhymes than I do and can sing them all the way through. I am taken when we talk at night to learn what he has been taught throughout his day. Often in the car he will surprise me with something (like counting to 20).”

From an Avon Center parent: “My two-year-old has developed excellent language skills, knows her colors, and recognizes letters. She’s been going to Day Nursery since she was 6 months old and has learned an amazing amount there vs. at home.”

Together—we can all stand a little taller knowing that we are helping to care for and educate some of the youngest children in our community.